Product Description

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The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series delivers exactly what readers have been waiting for-smart, confident women who are not afraid to defy convention, live their own dreams, and share their lives if the right man comes along. In A Matter of Character, book three in the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series, it's 1918, and Daphne McKinley, heiress to a small fortune, has found contentment in the town of Bethlehem Springs. But Daphne has a secret.

Publisher's Description

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"The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series delivers exactly what readers have been waiting forsmart, confident women who are not afraid to defy convention, live their own dreams, and share their lives if the right man comes along. In A Matter of Character, book three in the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series, it's 1918, and Daphne McKinley, heiress to a small fortune, has found contentment in the town of Bethlehem Springs. But Daphne has a secret. A series of dime novels loosely based on local lore and featuring a nefarious villain known as Rawhide Rick has enjoyed modest popularity among readers. Nobody in Bethlehem Springs knows the man behind the stories &hellip; except Daphne. When newspaperman Joshua Crawford comes to town searching for the man who sullied the good name of his grandfather, Daphne finds herself at a crossroads, reassessing the power of her words, re-thinking how best to honor her gifts, and reconsidering what she wants out of life."

Author Bio

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Bestselling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from both RWA and ACFW and winner of the Christy, RITA, and numerous other awards, Robin has authored over 75 books. She and her husband make their home in Idaho where she enjoys spending time with her family, her high-maintenance Papillon, Poppet, and Princess Pinky, the DC (demon cat). For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com, Facebook: robinleehatcher, Twitter: @robinleehatcher

ChristianBookPreviews.com

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Robin Lee Hatcher draws her readers into her novel A Matter of Character with a romantic twist between the two main characters. Daphne McKinley is a strong, independent woman of twenty-seven living a quiet life in the small town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, just as World War I had come to a close. Joshua Crawford is a young man who comes to town to work on the newspaper staff in hopes of finding D. B. Morgan, the man who sullied the name of his beloved grandfather after the manager of the newspaper passed away. The characters emotions run every which way as they try to understand love in a situation where secrets are kept and half-truths are told.

Hatcher uses both dialogue and description to compliment the various journal entries and letters scattered throughout the novel. She switches from Daphnes point of view to Joshuas with ease throughout the story. Joshua and Daphne have a strange relationship, like two young teens falling in love for the first time. They are each attracted to the other but are too afraid to tell the truth about how they feel. Over and over Hatcher invades the mind of Daphne, who tries to describe Joshuas eyes with words, but always comes up short, yet she still longs to gaze into them.

Daphne is faced with many issues regarding her profession. As a woman in 1918, it is not acceptable to write novels, so she hides under a pen name, and is weary of what people will think of her when her secret is revealed. Ultimately, Daphne decides to tell her brother, Morgan, and love interest, Joshua. Each has different reactions to the matter.

Daphne is strong and has been used to doing things on her own since she was young. She would not mind having a husband one day, but is comfortable on her own until she is able to find someone who truly loves her. Sometimes she lets her emotions get the best of her, causing her writing to become hurtful toward someone, therefore not honoring God with the gift He has given her. The character of common interest for both Daphne and Joshua is Richard Terrell, otherwise known as Rawhide Rick in D. B. Morgans novels. Terrell was the main villain in Morgans books and is the grandfather of Joshua Crawford. This mans past is what brings Daphne and Joshua together in the first place.

Even though this book is the third in the series, I was able to jump right into the story without knowing any previous information from the first two novels. The story of Daphne and Joshua is carefully and thoughtfully crafted to make both parties feelings seem relatable. It allows the love and passion to exude from the pages into the readers heart and mind. The characters are constantly calling out to God, expecting that He will provide hope and an answer in his or her time of distress. It is obvious Hatcher wants her characters to be realistic and someone to whom the reader can relate. Any woman could easily appreciate this book and its characters.  Diana Friend, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

This book shows a strong, Christian woman who is able to be on her own and take care of herself. She also has an occupation although she doesn't need one. She must confront some issues in her own life and allow herself to become open to love. While it is fiction and an easy read, we can learn a lot of history, ethics and morals from it.

I have enjoyed many of Robin Lee Hatcher's books in the past but this series is my favorite and I reccomend it all the time to my family and friends. I have bought it for myself and have now bought it for my mother.I think all would enjoy!

Daphne McKinley, a published dime novel authoress and wealthy heiress, fairly shines with spunk and a sometimes overactive imagination, both which make her utterly charming. Joshua Crawford is a newspaper reporter who has always looked up to his grandfather, who was a huge part of his life, growing up. So when he finds that a dime novel author has besmirched the good name of his beloved grandfather, he goes to Bethlehem Springs in hopes of finding a certain D. B. Morgan. As you can imagine some interesting situations occur!

My favorite of the series, I couldn't help but enjoy returning to Bethlehem Springs to revisit old characters and meet new ones.The characters were well drawn out, and the plot was wonderful. Even the side characters proved memorable. I loved watching the story play out before my eyes. Engaging and amusing to the end, A Matter of Character is sure to charm and delight. Romantic, yet at times humorous, this was a book that I enjoyed to the last.

As I read the last page I couldn't help but wish that there were books in the series. Overall this book was a delightful read, I enjoyed watching the characters develop, and the messages that they learned along the way. A book that I recommend, to anyone up for a romance that is not too serious, nor to light, but just right :) Thanks!

Final Rating: 4.4 out of 5

I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review, which I have done my best to present here. Thanks :)

I loved this book! It showed that when Joshua's grandfather accepted Christ it not only radically transformed his life but also impacted the lives of his descendants. The unfolding of the love story was also beautiful.